TY - JOUR A1 - Wennehorst, K A1 - Diehl, H A1 - Mildenstein, K A1 - Saliger, B A1 - Tigges, C A1 - Keil, T A1 - Englert, Heike T1 - A Comprehensive Lifestyle Intervention to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular Diseases: The CHIP Germany Trial JF - Prevention Sciences Y1 - 2016 U6 - http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11121-015-0623-2 VL - 17 SP - 386 EP - 397 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Koeder, Christian A1 - Hahn, Andreas A1 - Englert, Heike T1 - A plant-based diet and healthy lifestyle lower C-reactive protein levels T2 - Complement Med Res N2 - Introduction: Many disease processes are accompanied and promoted by increased inflammation in the body. Increased concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in the blood are an indicator of subclinical inflammation, increased disease risk, and an increased risk of early death. A healthy plant-based diet and increased physical activity have been shown to reduce hs-CRP concentrations. Objectives: Our objective was to test if a healthy lifestyle intervention program can improve hs-CRP levels and other risk factors. Methodology: We are conducting a non-randomized, controlled intervention study with 6 times of measurement (baseline, after 2.5, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months). Participants in the intervention group (n = 104) took part in a 2.5-month intensive lifestyle program focusing on a plant-based diet (PBD), physical activity, stress management and group support. Currently they are in the less intensive phase (monthly seminars) which will be completed after 24 months. The control group (n = 62) did not take part in any program. In both groups hs-CRP was assessed, and participants with an infection/common cold at any of the times of measurement were excluded from the analyses. Results: In the intervention group (n = 97) we observed a reduction in hsCRP from baseline to 2.5 months (p < 0.001). In the control group (n = 46) hs-CRP levels increased non-significantly. The changes from baseline to 2.5 months were significantly different between intervention and control (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Our program led to a clinically relevant reduction in hs-CRP. Continued follow-up will show if this improvement can be maintained in the intervention group. Our study confirms that a PBD and healthier lifestyle choices can lower hs-CRP. KW - plant-based diet KW - inflammation KW - cardiovascular disease KW - cancer Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:hbz:836-opus-131847 UR - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33631741/ SP - 6 EP - 7 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Nkengfak, G A1 - Turimiro, J A1 - Nkongang, N A1 - Englert, Heike T1 - A review of nutrition in Cameroon: Food supply, factors influencing nutritional habit and impact on micronutrient (Vitamin A, Iodine, Iron) status JF - The Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences Y1 - 2011 VL - 12 IS - 1 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Nkengfak, G. A1 - Turimiro, J. A1 - Nkongang, N. A1 - Englert, Heike T1 - A review of nutrition in Cameroon: Food supply, factors influencing nutritional habit and impact on micronutrient (Vitamin A, Iodine, Iron) status JF - Les Annales Universitaires de la Faculté de Médécines et des Sciences Biomédicales Y1 - 2011 SP - - EP - - ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Nkengfak, G. A1 - Torimiro, J. A1 - Nkongang, N. A1 - Englert, Heike T1 - A review: Effects of antioxidants on CD4 and viral load in HIV-infected women in sub-Saharan Africa - dietary supplements vs. local diet. JF - International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research N2 - Abstract In sub-Sahara Africa, micronutrient deficiency, especially of antioxidant micronutrients including vitamins A, C, and E, beta-carotene, selenium, zinc, and polyphenols is very common in HIV-positive patients. Amongst adults, women are the most vulnerable. Antioxidants are known to play a vital role in the immune system, reducing oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is induced by excess production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), due to the HIV infection. Such damage may be prevented or moderated through adequate oral intake of antioxidants, scavenging ROS, as well as protecting cells and tissues against oxidative stress. Antioxidants can be provided to the body through locally available antioxidant rich-diets such as fruit-and-vegetable-based diets and/or dietary supplements. Provision of antioxidants through local diets or dietary supplements exercise beneficial effects on biological markers of the immune system (CD4 and viral load). However, while dietary supplements represent a costly and short-term strategy to limiting antioxidant deficiency, local diets, combined with adequate nutritional education, can provide a low-cost and long-term strategy to reduce oxidative stress, prevent micronutrient deficiency, and slow down HIV disease progression. The former can be applicable in countries around the West, Central, and South coast of Africa, which are rich in natural food resources. In contrast with significant evidence that dietary supplements confer benefits in HIV patients, fewer data are available relating to the benefits of local diets. Thus the need to do more research in this area arises. This review compares available data on effects of antioxidants on CD4 and viral load in HIV-positive women noneligible for antiretroviral therapy. Intake of antioxidants though dietary supplements and local diet, associated with nutritional education, is compared. Studies conducted in sub-Sahara Africa are considered. Y1 - 2012 SN - 0300-9831 VL - 82 SP - 63 EP - 72 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Aldana, S. A1 - Greenlaw, R. A1 - Diehl, H. A1 - Merrill, R. A1 - Salberg, A. A1 - Englert, Heike T1 - A video-based lifestyle intervention and changes in coronary risk JF - Health Education Res Y1 - 2008 SN - 0268-1153 VL - 23 IS - 1 SP - 115 EP - 124 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Englert, Heike T1 - Antioxidants and HIV/AIDS T2 - Zampelas A, Micha E (Hg.), Antioxidants in Health and Disease Y1 - 2015 SN - 978-1-4665-8003-9 SP - 263 EP - 278 PB - Taylor & Francis Catalog ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Englert, Heike A1 - Nkengfack, Germaine T1 - Antioxidants in HIV patients in Africa: supplements, local diet and education T2 - Victor Preedy, HIV/AIDS: Oxidative Stress and Dietary Antioxidants Y1 - 2016 SP - 1 EP - 33 PB - King´s College London CY - London ET - 1. Auflage ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Willich, SN. A1 - Englert, Heike A1 - Schäfer, GA. A1 - Roll, S. A1 - Beier, KM. T1 - Association between cardiovascular risk factors and erectile dysfunction – a population-based study JF - Eur Heart J Y1 - 2006 SN - 0195-668X VL - 27 (Suppl.) SP - 361 EP - - ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Englert, Heike A1 - Schaefer, GA. A1 - Roll, S. A1 - Ahlers, C. A1 - Beier, K. A1 - Willich, SN. T1 - Association between erectile dysfunction and cardiac risk factors in Berlin men aged 40-79 JF - Biometrical J Y1 - 2004 SN - 1521-4036 VL - 46 (Suppl.) SP - 132 EP - - ER -